Malkin gets 2 goals in his return from suspension as the Penguins beat the NHL-leading Avalanche 7-2

DENVER (AP) — Evgeni Malkin scored twice in a four-goal first period and added an assist in his return from a five-game suspension for slashing, sparking the Pittsburgh Penguins to a 7-2 victory over the league-leading Colorado Avalanche on Monday night.

Malkin's punishment from the NHL was for raising his stick and striking Buffalo Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin on the helmet and shoulder during their game on March 5. The 39-year-old Malkin has been suspended three times in his career.

Anthony Mantha, Elmer Soderblom, Erik Karlsson, Bryan Rust and Noel Acciari also scored for the Penguins, who matched their season high for goals on just 20 shots while playing for the 11th straight game without star center Sidney Crosby. Pittsburgh's leading scorer, who sustained a lower-body injury while playing for Canada in the Winter Olympics last month, has been skating with the team during this five-game trip that wraps up Wednesday.

Karlsson added two assists and has three goals and 11 assists in his last 10 games for the Penguins, who moved two points ahead of the New York Islanders for sole possession of second place in the Metropolitan Division.

Nathan MacKinnon and Brent Burns scored for the Avalanche, who matched their most goals allowed in a game this season. Scott Wedgewood, the league leader in save percentage and goals-against average, was pulled 13 minutes in after falling behind 3-1 on five shots. Wedgewood was replaced by Mackenzie Blackwood, who made 11 saves.

Colorado has lost three of four and leads Dallas in both the Central Division and overall NHL standings by three points. The Avalanche have one game in hand on the Stars.

Pittsburgh plays at Carolina on Wednesday.

Colorado hosts Dallas on Wednesday.

AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/NHL

Pittsburgh Penguins center Connor Dewar, right, collects the puck as Colorado Avalanche left wing Joel Kiviranta (94) and right wing Valeri Nichushkin, back left, defend in the second period of an NHL hockey game Monday, March 16, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Pittsburgh Penguins goalie Arturs Silvos (37) pins Colorado Avalanche center Parker Kelly (17) to the net as Penguins defenseman Kris Letang (58) looks to clear the puck in the first period of an NHL hockey game Monday, March 16, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Pittsburgh Penguins right winger Anthony Mantha, center, is congratulated after scoring a goal by right wing Rickard Rakell, left, and right wing Bryan Rust in the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Colorado Avalanche, Monday, March 16, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Erik Karlsson reacts after scoring against the Colorado Avalanche in the second period of an NHL hockey game Monday, March 16, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Pittsburgh Penguins center Evgeni Malkin, back center, is congratulated after scoring a goal by defenseman Connor Clifton, back left, right wing Rickard Rakell, back right, and defenseman Ryan Shea in the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Colorado Avalanche Monday, March 16, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) — Victor Wembanyama had 21 points and 13 rebounds, and the San Antonio Spurs overcame an early 14-point deficit before blowing most of a 24-point lead and recovering to hold off the Los Angeles Clippers 119-115 on Monday night.

Stephon Castle had 23 points, eight assists and seven rebounds to lead the Spurs (50-18), who reached 50 wins for the first time since 2016-17 and trail the first-place Thunder by three games in the West. Devin Vassell added 20 points.

Fighting to secure a spot for the play-in tournament, the Clippers' second straight loss dropped them back to .500 with Kawhi Leonard watching from the bench. The NBA's sixth-leading scorer sat out with a sprained left knee.

Darius Garland led six Clippers in double figures with 25 points and 10 assists. Jordan Miller had 22 points off the bench, which outscored the Spurs' reserves 57-30.

After the Spurs ran off seven in a row to lead 115-102, Garland scored seven of the Clippers' nine points to get within four with 38 seconds remaining. But the Spurs made four straight free throws to preserve the win.

The Spurs led by 24 points in the third before the Clippers closed with a 16-3 run to trail by 10 going into the fourth.

The Spurs started slowly, missing eight of their first nine shots, while the Clippers surged to a 17-3 lead. They shot 65% from the floor in the opening quarter, hit 5 of 7 3-pointers and made 10 of 12 free throws.

San Antonio turned things around in the second. The Spurs erased all of their 14-point deficit, helped by 15 straight points over the end of the first and start of the second. In the period, they outscored the Clippers 37-15 to lead 66-52 at halftime.

Spurs: Visit Sacramento on Tuesday to complete a back-to-back.

Clippers: Visit New Orleans on Wednesday to open a three-game trip.

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA

San Antonio Spurs forward Carter Bryant (11) is fouled by Los Angeles Clippers forward John Collins, bottom, during the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, March 16, 2026, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)

San Antonio Spurs forward Harrison Barnes (40) fouls Los Angeles Clippers guard Bennedict Mathurin (9) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, March 16, 2026, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)

San Antonio Spurs forward Julian Champagnie, left, reacts with forward Carter Bryant (11) during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Clippers, Monday, March 16, 2026, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)

San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama, right, defends, Los Angeles Clippers guard Jordan Miller (22) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, March 16, 2026, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)

San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama prepares to pass the ball during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Clippers, Monday, March 16, 2026, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)